Universal workpiece holder



June 29, 1954 B. E. NELSON ET AL UNIVERSAL WORKPIECE HOLDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5. 1950 IN V EN TORS 3P00/C5 E. IVE L60 I- y EH85 0. PETER 50 V June 29, 1954 B. E. NELSON ET AL 2,682,065

UNIVERSAL WORKPIECE HOLDER Filed July 5, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORJ 81900/{5 EJVELJO/V 1- By 21/85 0. mason b TTOENEM'S.

June 29, 1954 B. E. NELSON ETAL UNIVERSAL WORKPIECE HOLDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 8 1950 v 5 m% T 5 N m P M I p M d m June 29, 1954 B. E. NELSON ET AL UNIVERSAL WORKPIECE HOLDER Filed July 5 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 MAGNETIC REVERSING /9l STARTER MOTOR Q 30 BRAKE By P08! 0.7575850 m YJ M UNIVERSAL WORKPIECE HOLDER Filed July 5, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR5 ,3F00/Y5 f. NELSON By mas/v 0. P/FTEESOA/ ATTOQ/VEVJ.

Patented June 29, 1954 UNIVERSAL WORKPIECE HOLDER Brooks E. Nelson, Cleveland, and Ruben 0. Peterson, University Heights, Ohio, assignors to The Osborn Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 3, 1950, Serial No. 171,782

16 Claims.

This invention relates as indicated to a universal work-piece holder and, more particularly, to a device adapted to present a work-piece to the rotary brushes of a brushing lathe or the like.

Power driven rotary brushes have long been employed for the purpose of surface finishing metal parts and other articles, including the removal of burrs, scale and oxide coatings, the rounding of sharp corners, and the provision of desired surface textures including a high polish. When very large numbers of identical parts are to be operated upon, it has often been found economically feasible to construct large and elaborate machines costing many thousands of dollars to which such parts may be fed for automatic handling and brushing. Ordinarily, however, a shop will require to brush such a variety of different parts that an investment in expensive special machines of this type is not justified. Accordingly, the usual procedure is to mount one or more annular rotary brushes having radially extending brush material on a brushing lathe or other powered shafting, the operator presenting the work-piece thereto either manually or held in a crude jig or fixture. Even when fairly large parts are to be brushed, it is a common procedure for the operator, wearing a leather apron and heavy gloves, to brace such part against his body for presentation to the brush, the part being turned as necessary to brush the desired portions thereof. Such operations are obviously slow and cumbersome, resulting in a high labor charge per piece brushed, and the results obtained are generally far from uniform. Unless the operator is exceptionally skilled, certain portions may be overbrushed or underbrushed and, when later rejected, must be returned for further treatment. The work is, moreover, frequently very tiring on the operator and in some cases even dangerous since such brushes generally rotate at quite high speeds and can be abrasive enough to cause severe injury.

It is accordingly a primary object of our invention to provide a work-piece holder for presenting a work-piece to the brush or brushes of the usual brushing lathe, for example, which will ensure uniform and proper brushing of the workpiece without the necessity of employing an especially skilled operator or attendant.

Another object is to provide such device which will advance the work-piece toward the brush, apply the work-piece to the brush with a pressure which can be accurately adjusted and reproduced, and return the same therefrom and which will also rotate such work-piece while the latter is engaged with the brush.

ticular brushing action desired in any particular case.

Other objects of this invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention then comprises the feature hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of our new universal work-piece holder;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the device illutrated in Fig. l;

r Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on a somewhat enlarged scale of the reciprocating and rotating mechanism of such device;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating the manner in which a work-piece may be presented by such device to brushes mounted on a brushing lathe;

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram of one simple form of electric control means for such device;

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram in vertical section of vertically reciprocable and axially rotatably adjustable pedestal supporting means for such device;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail view showing the aligning means for the work-reciprocating mechanism;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of brush drive control means responsive to reciprocation of such work-piece holder;

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram generally similar to that of Fig. 5 but indicating the manner in which the brush arbor driving motor may be controlled; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail view of a modified form of work-supporting universal head adapted to support the work-piece resiliently as it is brought into engagement with a rotating brush.

Referring now more particularly to such drawing, the embodiment there illustrated comprises a base plate I on which is mounted a fixed inner cylinder 2 closed at its upper end. An outer cylinder 3 likewise closed at its upper end is sleeved thereon for vertical reciprocation relative thereto. A platform 4 carried by such cylinder 3 is adapted to support the slides. and other mechanism of our device described below.

The lower edge portion or skirt of outer cylinder 3 will desirably be slotted and encircled by a split clamping ring 5 adapted to be tightened about such skirt mechanically to lock cylinder 3 at desired elevation relative to inner cylinder 2. The maximum elevation of cylinder 3 is determined by engagement of centrally disposed piston S with the upper end of inner cylinder 2', such piston being secured to the upper end of outer cylinder 3 for reciprocation therewith and enclosed within a small inner cylinder 1'. Inner cylinder 2 is adapted to be largely filled with hydraulic fluid such as oil, as shown in Fig. 6, and outer cylinder 3 may be caused, to rise relative thereto by first releasing clamp 5 and then admitting air under pressure from line 8. Needle valve 9 in line In having been opened, oil may be forced from inner cylinder 2 through line I intothe space between the upper ends of cylinder 2 and cylinder 3 respectively, thereby elevating the latter, supplementing the action of mechanical clamp 5, needle valve 9 may then be closed to. prevent return of the oil to cylinder 2, thereby locking outer cylinder 3 in the desired elevated position. In view of the central location of piston 6 and cylinder I, outer cylinder 3 and platform 4 supported thereby may be rotated about a vertical axis relative to inner cylinder 2 and base I. Mechanical clamping ring 5 accordingly serves the additional purpose of securing such outer cylinder and platform in selected rotative position. Hand control valve I-I may be left in the closed or hold position, but the elevation of outer cylinder 3 will be more positively and permanently fixed if needle valve 9- is also closed. Valve II, of course, has two other positions, one admitting air under pressure to inner cylinder 2 and the other venting such cylinder to permit lowering of outer cylinder and platform 4 carried thereby.

The above-described piston-cylinder assembly is of a type well known in the art, and various other equivalent mechanisms suitable for our purpose are likewise well known.

An oil filler tube I2 provided with a sealing cap I3 communicates with the lower end of inner cylinder 2 to permit replenishment of the oil supply, although this will only occasionally be necessary. A vertical scale I4 on a square tube enclosing tube I2.- serves to indicate the elevation to which outer cylinder 3 has been raised, the lower edge I5 of clamping flange 5 serving as a marker traveling along such scale for this purpose.

A cross-slide I6 is mounted for horizontal movement on dovetail slideway I'I bolted to platform 4, a ball crank I8 bein operative through the usual screw means adjustably to position slide I6 therealong. An indicator I9 on slide I6 is adapted to travel alon a scale attached to lower slideway IT to show the extent of adjustment of such slide. Sheet metal. housings 2| and 22 carried by slide I6 protect the exposed end portions of slideway H.

A horizontal main slideway 23 is mounted on such cross-slide I6 at right angles thereto and carries an upper main slide 24, thereon. Such main slide is similarly adapted to be traversed back and forth along such slideway by means of the usual screw 25 operated by ball crank 26. An indicator 21 on such main slide travels along a scale 23 on cross-slideway 23 to indicate its position therealong, It will be understood that such scales I4, 20 and 28 are of assistance during set-up of the device and permit any particular setting quickly to be repeated at some later date when a similar brushin operation is to be performed. A housing 29 carried by main slide 24 projects forwardly therefrom to shield the forwardly extending portion of slideway 23.

Referring now more especially to Fig. 3 of the drawing, such main slide 24 carries a horizontally disposed fluid pressure piston-cylinder assembly parallel to such slideway 23, comprising a fixed cylinder 30 closed at its respective ends by means of cylinder heads 3I and 32 with a tubular piston rod 33 extending through centrally aligned openings in the latter. The usual seals will be provided, as shown, to afford a tight sealing fit between such heads and piston. rod. An annular piston 34 is mounted on tubular piston rod 33 within cylinder 33 and. retained in selected position axially of such rod by means of locking rings 35 and 38. Such locking rings not only prevent relative axial movement of such piston and piston rod but also serve as spacers, ensuring small openings between such piston and the respective piston heads at the end of each stroke whereby fluid pressure may be admitted to the cylinder as described below.

Cylinder 3D is supported on a box frame 31 carried by slide 24, cylinder head 3| being press fitted in mountin plate 38. bolted to such frame. A guide shoe 39 is secured tov the forward end of tubular piston rod 33 and is adapted to support the work holding head in the manner described below. Guide pins 40 and M (Figs, 2

' and 7) are press fitted in such shoe 33 and ar adapted to slide through bushings in cylinder head mount 33 to prevent such shoe and the work supporting head carried thereby from turning about the axis of piston rod 33.

An electric motor 42 is mounted within box frame 31 and is adapted to drive bevel gear 43 through speed reducer 44. J ournalled within tubular piston rod 33 is a drive shaft 45 having a bevel gear 46 keyed to one end thereof adapted to enter into driven engagement with such gear 43. Gear 46 is secured to shaft 45 by means of a sliding keyway permitting a slight degree of relative axial movement between such gear and shaft. A compression spring 41 interposed. between gear 46 and a stop ring 48 secured to the shaft tends to urge such gear toward gear 43.

A sheet metal hood or housing 4S!- is secured to shoe 39 and encloses the piston-cylinder assembly 30, 34, as well as shaft 45 and gear 46. Since such housing will accordingly reciprocate with piston rod 33 and shoe 39, it is supported by rollers 50 mounted on cylinder head 32 (see Figs. 1- and 3, showing the same in retracted and advanced positions respectively). It will be seen that when shoe 3!) is in advanced position, as shown in Fig. 3, gears 43 and 45 will be brought into meshing engagement, thereby driving shaft 45, and when piston-cylinder assembly 34, 30, has been operated to retract shoe 39, as shown in Fig. 1, gears 43 and 46 are thereby shifted out of engagement, disconnecting the drive to shaft 45.

A universal work, carrying. head of conventional, commercially available design is secured to such shoe 39. Such head comprises a lower housing 5| and an upper housing 52 connected for rotative adjustment about an axis normal to the axis of shaft 45. Lower housing 5| will ordinarily be secured to shoe 39 by means of three locking screws such as 53 and 54 passing through arcuate slots in the housing flange concentric to the axis of shaft 45. While the length of such arcuate slots limits normal adjustment of the universal head about the axis of shaft 45, such looking screws may be removed temporarily and then reinserted after such head has been turned the desired extent, such universal head therefore actually being adjustable through 360 about both its axes. A scale 55 may be provided to facilitate set-u and a similar scale (not shown) is likewise commonly provided for the adjustment about the'axis normal to the axis of shaft 45.

While the internal construction of such universal head is likewiseconventional, it will nevertheless be briefly described. A bevel gear 56 is keyed to an extension 51 of drive shaft and engages bevel gear 58 within lower housing 5|. Such latter gear is adapted to drive bevel gear 59 in engagement with bevel gear 60 on shaft 6| within upper housing 52. Shaft 6| will ordinarily be provided with a mandrel, chuck or collet 62 adapted to hold the particular work-piece upon which the brushing operation is to be performed. Air collets, magnetic chucks, special mandrels and the like may all be suitable for this purpose. In Figs. 1 and 4, the work-piece shown mounted on mandrel 62 is a gear 63 adapted to be presented to a pair of rotary brushes 64 and 65 mounted on the arbor 66 of a brushing lathe. In the example illustrated, the rotary brushes are operative to remove the burrs on the gear teeth commonly resulting from the usual shaping operation.

An overhead air line 6'! to which air line 8 is connected also leads to solenoid operated four- Way valve 58 adapted to admit air under pressure to either line 69 or line H! respectively. Line 69 leads to the right-hand end of cylinder 30 as viewed in Fig. 3, and line Ill leads to the left-hand end of such cylinder. Accordingly, operation of valve 68 to admit air under pressure to line 69 serves to shift piston 34 and piston rod 33 to the left, as shown in Fig. 3, and admission of air to line 10 serves to return such piston rod, and therefore the universal work-piece carrying head, to the right as shown in Fig. 1. I

I A timer H is provided to control the operation of such valve 68 whereby, upon pressing button 12, the normally open timer contacts 13 (see Fig. 5) are caused to close, energizing the solenoid 68 to admit air under pressure to line 69, advancing the work-carrying head. After expiration of the time interval for which the timer is set, contacts 13 automatically open, de-energizing solenoid 68 and thereby venting line 69 and connecting line Ill to pressure to return piston rod 33 and the work-holding head carried thereby. Since during set-up the operator may wish to reciprocate the work-carrying mechanism at will, a manual toggle switch 14 may be provided to operate solenoid valve 68, by-passing the timer. Manual switch 75 (on a separate circuit) is provided to energize motor 42 as well as the mechanism of timer I l.

The operation of our new universal work-piece holder may be readily understood from the fore going description. When setting up the device, the operator will ascertain whether there is a proper quantity of hydraulic fluid in the reservoir within pedestal cylinder 2, replenishing such suppiece from the brushes.

ply as necessary through filler tube l2. In order that there may be no pressure within cylinder 2 at this time, outer cylinder 3 should be in lowermost position with valve ll turned to vent the air trapped in the upper portion of cylinder 2 to atmosphere. The proper brushes will be selected and mounted on the arbor of the brushing lathe, and if such lathe is adjustable such arbor may be set at the desired level.

Switch 15 is now turned on, starting motor 42 and energizing timer 1| Upon closing manually operated toggle switch 14, the upper mechanism including the universal head and mandrel 52 will be reciprocated into advanced position (Fig. 5). The work-piece such as gear 63 may be placed upon such mandrel prior to thus advancing the same. Air under pressure may now be admitted to inner cylinder 2 of the pedestal to elevate outer cylinder 3, as above described, to bring the workpiece to the desired elevation relative to brushes 64 and 65. Valves II and I5 will then be closed and cylinder 3 swiveled about its axis as desired prior to tightening clamp 5. Platform 4 and. the elements carried thereby will thus have been locked at proper elevation and angle.

Cross-slide l6 may now be reciprocated by means of ball crank 18 properly to line up the work-piece to the brushes and main slide 24 may be reciprocated by means of ball crank 26 to cause such work-piece to engage the brushes with the desired pressure. As shown in Fig. 1, the work-piece is of a type best presented fiatwise to the brushes so that no angular adjustment of the universal head is required. It will be understood, however, that the upper housing portion 52 of such head may be turned and locked about its vertical axis to present the work-piece to the brush or brushes at an angle, and the similar adjustment obtainable with lower housing member 5| about its horizontal axis permits any desired compound angle of approach to be obtained. Hand switch 74 will now be opened whereupon valve 66 operates to admit air to line 10, returning piston rod 33 and withdrawing the work- Such action likewise automatically disengages gears 43 and 46 so that the work-piece is no longer caused to revolve. The operator now sets timer H for the desired time interval (which may, for example, ordinarily be from of a second to 4 minutes) and starts the brushing lathe. Upon next pressing button 12, solenoid valve 68 is energized to admit air under pressure to line 69, advancing the work-piece 63 into engagement with the rapidly rotating brushes 34 and 65, as shown in Fig. 4. Gear 46 is simultaneously brought into engagement with gear 43, causing mandrel 62 and the work-piece 63 (a gear, as shown) to revolve at a relatively slow rate so that its entire periphery is brought into engagement with the brushes, and the burrs are removed from the teeth. Upon expiration of the time interval for which timer H is set, timer contacts 13 will open, causing solenoid valve 68 to shift to vent line 69 and place line 10 under pressure, returning.

the work-piece carrying head out of engagement with the brushes and likewise disengaging gears 43 and 46 so that such work-piece ceases to turn. The operator will then remove the work-piece and replace it with another on the mandrel 62,

when the cycle may be again initiated by pressing button 12.

Various modifications of our above-described mechanism will be obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the principle of our invention. Thus, separate switch meansforthe motor; may be provided in order that the workpiece may be reciprocated into and. out of brushengaging position without necessarily simultaneously rotating such work-piece. Motor 42 will desirably be of the reversible type so that shaft 45 and accordingly the work-piece may be rotated in either direction. A multiple chuck may be provided in place of mandrel 62 to carry a plurality of different work-pieces instead of but a single work-piece as shown, depending upon the particular article to be brushed. By turning lower housing 180 about its horizontal axis from the position illustrated in Fig. l. of the drawing, the work-piece may be supported at the lowest possible level. By occasionally traversing the cross-slide slightly the .brushes may be caused to wear relatively evenly. The timer may be set automatically to re-energize the solenoid of valve 68 after the expiration of a predetermined loading period to present the new work-piece to the brushes without the necessity of the operator pushing the Start button. Ordinarily, however, the operator will prefer to initiate each cycle.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawing, an additional feature of our invention is there illustrated. We have found that when a power driven rotary brush is caused to operate on a succession of work-pieces, such brush always rotating in the same direction, it soon may become relatively inefiective for its intended purpose due to the fact that the ends of the brush bristles become rounded over on the side engaging the work, i. e. lose their cutting edge. This may be remedied by removing the brush from the arbor and turning it around when replacing the same, but such an operation is obviously impractical when it would require to be performed every several minutes as is usually the case.

We accordingly mount a toggle switch 16 on the side of box frame 31 opposite to timer II and having a spring-backed operating plunger '17 adapted alternatively to connect clockwise holding coil 18 or counterclockwise holding coil 19 of a magnetic reversing starter 9| for brush drive motor 80 in circuit with power lines L and L since motor 80 will ordinarily be a threephase electric motor. A third power line L leads thereto without, however, being included in the circuit of such magnetic reversing starter or the work-piece holder operation control means.

A ratchet 9| is mounted on frame 31 adjacent toggle switch operated magnetic reversing starter 16 and provided with two diametrically opposed cams i2 and 83 extending outwardly from the periphery thereof. When such ratchet is in the position shown in Fig. 8, it will be seen that one of such cams is effective to depress plunger 11 of toggle switch 16. Such ratchet is, however, adapted to be rotated in quarter turn increments so that there will be intervening periods when plunger 1'! will not be depressed and the other holding coil of the magnetic reversing starter will consequently be placed in series in the circuit. As a result, it will be seen that each time ratchet 8| is thus rotated a quarter turn, brush drive motor 89 will be reversed so that brush arbor 66 and the brushes mounted thereon will likewise be driven in the opposite direction.

A spring-backed detent 84 is mounted to engage the teeth of ratchet 8| so that such ratchet may turn in a counterclockwise direction only as viewed in Fig. 8. A pawl 85 is pivotally secured to pawl link 86 to engage the teeth of pawl 8| and drive the latter in such counterclockwise direction only, a tension spring 81 serving to draw such pawl against the ratchet.

A pair of spaced abutments or fingers 88 and 89 are secured to the sheet metal hood or guard 49 of the reciprocable work-piece carrying mechanism to engage pawl link 86 to either side thereof. As shown in Fig. 8, the work-piece carrying headand hood 49 will be in advanced position (advanced to the right as viewed in such figure). When, however, the work-piece is retracted out of engagement with the brushes and hood 49 consequently shifted to the left as viewed in Fig. 8, fingers 89 will be effective to rock link 86 and pawl 85 to the left, rotating pawl 8| a quarter turn in a counterclockwise direction. As above explained, this will result in reversal of the brush drive motor while the work-piece is thus disengaged fromsuch brush or brushes. Upon now again reciprocating the work-piece carrying head toward the brush arbor, finger 88 will be effective to return link and pawli85 to the position shown in Fig. 8 whereupon such pawl will now engage the next tooth of ratchet 8|. While the mechanism as shown will thus be operative to reverse brush drive motor 80 each time the work-piece is withdrawn from engagement with the brush, it will be obvious that such reversal may be caused to take place in response to any desired number of reciprocations of the work-piece carrying head by a simple modification of ratchet 8| and the cams carried thereby.

We have found by actual test that employment of automatic brush drive reversing mechanism, as described, will serve to ensure continued uniform cutting action of the brush .material-on the work, each brushing operation in factserving to sharpen or dress the brush for the next succeeding operation. Auxiliary brush grinding means and the like commonly employed for such purpose may be entirely dispensed with. It will be appreciated that this method of maintaining the efliciency of the brush or brushes is exceedingly important in practice when a large number of identical work-pieces are to be brushed in rapid succession since otherwise non-uniform treatment of the work-pieces will result.

Since the reciprocation of the work-piece holder may be caused to take place at relatively short time intervals, we provide a conventional solenoid operated magnetic brake 90 for motor 80, such brake being disengaged whenever current is passing through the solenoid and engaged when the circuit to the motor is interrupted. Consequently, when toggle switch 16 is operated to reverse the motor, such brake will simultaneously beapplied but will be automatically released upon completion of reciprocation of switch plunger 11, reversing the motor.

While the admission of air to cylinder 30 of the work head reciprocating mechanism may be regulated to cause the work-pieceto engage the rotating brushes with a desired, reproducible pressure, we have found it of considerable advantage to modify the universal work-supporting head also to include resilient-means backing the work-carrying spindle to reduce the shock of initial impact of the brush with the work. A substantial increase in the useful life of the brushes is thereby obtained.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 10 of the drawing, it will be seen that a modified housing; 92 has been mounted on "lower housing 5| nalled in bearings IOI and I02 for a degree of axial reciprocation Without disengagement of gears 98 and 99, reciprocation to the left as viewed in Fig. 10 being limited by engagement of I external collar I03 with bearing face I04, and reciprocation to the right by engagement of the side of gear 99 with the side of bearing IOI. A

compression spring I05 surrounding shaft I engages the other side of bearing IOI and a collar I06 adjustably secured to such shaft, whereby the external end of the shaft including collar I03 is urged resiliently outwardly. By selectively positioning collar I06 along shaft I00, the pressure exerted by such spring may be correspondingly adjusted. The end of shaft I00 is provided with a tapered socket I0'I to receive 2. correspondingly tapered extension of work-piece carrying mandrel 62. Of course, any other appropriate means may be employed for mounting the workpiece on such shaft I00.

Spring I ordinarily will be selected and collar I06 adjusted so that when the work-piece is brought into engagement with the rotating brush spring I05 will be somewhat further compressed, although preferably not sufficiently that collar I03 engages bearing surface I04. As a result, the work-piece is resiliently supported and urged against the brush in use, with a better brushing action being obtained and the brush life prolonged. The arbor supporting the brush, buff, or other rotary surface-conditioning tool cannot be resiliently mounted instead, with equivalent results, since an erratic wobbling action would be obtained in use. has relatively small mass and is adapted for straight-line resilient reciprocation as required.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:

1. A work-piece holder adapted for the presentation of work-pieces to rotary brushes or buffs comprising a pedestal including a vertically disposed fluid pressure actuated piston-cylinder assembly, means adapted to'lock said assembly against further extension or retraction, means adapted to lock said cylinder against rotation relative to said piston, a horizontal cross-slide carried by the upper end of said assembly and adapted to be raised and lowered thereby, a horizontal main slide carried by said cross-slide transversely thereof and adapted to be adjustably laterally positioned by adjustment of said cross-slide, a housing carried by said main slide, a pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly carried by said housing and disposed parallel to said main slide, a drive-shaft journalled within the piston of said pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly for reciprocation therewith, a bevel gear keyed to one end of said shaft extending from said latter, piston, an

electric motor within said housing; a speed reducer driven by said motor, a bevel gear driven Shaft I00, however,

ill

by said speed reducer adapted to engage said bevel gear on said shaft when said latter piston is reciprocated in one direction and to be disengaged therefrom when said latter piston is reciprocated in the other direction, a universal head mounted on the end of said latter piston opposite to that from which the end of said shaft carrying said bevel gear extends, said head comprising two housing members respectively rotatably adjustable 360 about the horizontal axis of said shaft and an axis normal thereto, a Work-piece carrying driven shaft, and gearing within said housing members interconnecting said drive shaft and driven shaft in all selected adjusted positions of the latter, a solenoid-actuated valve adapted to admit air under pressure selectively to the respective ends of the cylinder of said pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly thereby alternatively to advance said universal Work-piece holding head with resultant engagement of said bevel gears and to return said head with corresponding disenga ement of said bevel gears, and a timer adapted to be set to control actuation of said valve.

2. A work-piece holder adapted for the presentation of work-pieces to rotary brushes or buffs comprising a pedestal including a vertically disposed fluid pressure actuated piston-cylinder assembly, one of the members of said assembly being rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the other member of said assembly, means adapted to lock the members of said assembly against rotation, means adapted to secure said assembly against further extension or retraction, a horizontal cross-slide carried by the upper end of said assembly and adapted to be raised and lowered thereby, a horizontal main slide carried by said cross-slide transversely thereof and adapted to be adjustabl laterally positioned by adjustment of said cross-slide, indicator means adapted to indicate the degree of elevation of said slides by said piston-cylinder assembly, indicator means for said respective slides adapted to indicate the horizontally adjusted positions thereof, a frame carried by said main slide, a pneumatic pistoncylinder assembly carried by said frame and disposed parallel to said main slide, a drive shaft journalled within the piston of said pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly for reciprocation therewith, a bevel gear keyed to one end of said shaft extending from said latter piston, said gear being mounted for limited axial movement relative to said shaft, resilient means urging said gear toward said latter piston, an electric motor carried by said frame, a speed reducer driven by said motor, a bevel gear driven by said speed reducer adapted to engage said bevel gear on said shaft when said shaft is reciprocated in one direction by said pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly and to be disengaged therefrom when said shaft is reciprocated in the other direction, a universal head mounted on the end of said piston of said pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly opposite to that from which said gear-carrying end of said shaft extends, means adapted to restrain said latter piston against rotation relative to the cylinder of said pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly, said head comprising two housing members respectively rotatably adjustable 360 about the horizontal axis of said shaft and an axis normal thereto, a work-piece carrying driven shaft within one said housing members, and gearing within said housing members interconnecting said drive shaft and said driven shaft in all selected adjusted positions of said housing members and driven shaft, a sheet metal hood secured to said piston of said pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly adjacent said universal head for reciprocation therewith, said hood enclosing and covering said pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly and the'gearcarrying end of said drive shaft extending therefrom, a solenoid actuated valvemounted on said frame adapted to admit air under pressure selectively to the respective ends of the-cylinder of said pneumatic piston-cylinder assembl thereby alternatively to advance said universal workpiece holding head with resultantengagement of said bevel gears and to return said head with corresponding disengagement of said bevel gears, a timer adapted to be set to control actuation of said valve, and manually operatedswitch means by-passing said timer to actuate said valve for set-up purposes.

3. A work-piece holder adaptedfor the presentation of work-pieces to rotary brushes-or buffs i comprising a pedestal including a vertically disposed fiuid pressure actuatedpiston-cylinder assembly, one of the members'of said assembly being rotatable about a. vertical axis relative to the other, means adapted'to locksuchmembers of said assembly against'rotation, means adapted to secure the vertically reciprocable member of said assembly at a desired elevation, horizontal slide means carried by said piston-cylinder as sembly and adapted to be raised and lowered thereby, said slide means comprising upper and lower slides disposed at right angles one to the other, a pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly carried by said upper slide and disposed parallel to one of said slides, a drive shaft journaled axially within the piston or said pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly for reciprocation therewith, a gear secured to one end of said shaft extending from said latter piston, drive means on said upper slide including a gear adapted to engage said first gear on said shaft when said shaft is reciprocated in one direction by action of said pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly and to be disengaged therefrom when said shaft is thus reciprocated in the opposite direction, a universal head carried by the end of said piston of said pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly opposite to that from which said gear carrying end of said shaft extends, means adapted to restrain said latter piston against rotation relative to its cylinder, said head including a work-piece carrying shaft and gearing interconnecting said drive shaft and said driven shaft in all selected adjusted positions of said head and driven shaft,

a solenoid-actuated valve adapted to admit air under pressure selectively to the respective ends of the cylinder of said pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly thereby alternatively to advance said universal work-piece holding head with resultant engagement of said gear on said drive shaft with said gear of said drive means and to return said head with resultant disengagement of said gears, said valve normally admitting air to said latter cylinder thus to hold said universal head in retracted position with said gears out of driving engagement, and a timer adapted to control actuation of said valve.

4. A work-piece holder adapted for the presentation of work-pieces to rotary brushes or the like comprising a vertically reciprocable fluid pressure piston-cylinder assembly, a platform carried by said assembly for up and down movement and pivotal movement about a vertical axis, means adapted to secure said platform in selected elevated and rotative position, horizontal slide means carried by said platform and comprising upper and lower slides at right angles to one another, a fluid pressure piston-cylinder assembly carried by said upper slide and parallel to one of said slides, a drive shaft mounted parallel to said latter piston-cylinder assembly and axially reciprocable thereby, drive means on said shaft, drive means carried by said upper slide adapted to engage said first drive means on said shaft when said shaft has been reciprocatedin one direction by said latter piston-cylinderassembly and to be disengaged therefrom when said shaft is reciprocated in the other direction, an adjustable work-piece carrying head mounted on such piston of said latter piston-cylinder assembly for reciprocation with said drive shaft, said head including rotatable work-piece carrying means in driven connection with said drive shaft in all adjusted positions of said head, means adapted to restrain said latter piston against rotation relative to its cylinder, a valve adapted to admit fluid pressure to said latter cylinder to reciprocate said latter piston, drive shaft and work-piece carrying head, and a timer adapted to control actuation of said valve.

5. In a device for presenting a work-piece in desired relation to a rotary brush or the like, a vertically adjustable pedestal also adjustably rotatable about its vertical axis, a fluid pressure piston-cylinder assembly mounted on said pedestal transversely thereof, a work holding head mounted for reciprocation by said piston-cylinder assembly, said head including a rotatable member to which such work-piece maybe secured, drive means for said rotatable member operative to rotate the same when said head is in advanced position, means adapted to render said drive means inoperative to rotate said member when said head has been retracted by action of said piston-cylinder assembly, and timer means adapted to control reciprocation of said piston-cylinder assembly.

6. In a device for presenting a work-piece in desired position'to a rotary brush or the like, a vertically adjustable stand, a horizontally reciprocable rotatable work-piece holder carried'thereby, drive means operative to rotate said holder when the latter has been reciprocated in one direction, and means adapted to render said drive means inoperative when said holder is reciprocated in the opposite direction.

'7. In a device for removing burrs from gears, a holder for such gear, means mounting said holder for rotation about the axis of such gear, means operative to reciprocate said holder and such gear axially of the latter, a pair of rotary brushes mounted on an arbor a distance apart to engage the sides of the teeth of such gear at diametrically opposite sides of the latter and disposed thus to engage such gear when the latter is advanced by said reciprocating means, whereby said brushes may be rotated together in the same direction to engage and brush the same portions of such gear in opposite directions, drive means operative to rotate said holder when said holder is advanced toward such brushes and means adapted to render said drive means inoperative to rotate the same when said holder is reciprocated away from such brushes.

8. In a device for removing burrs from gears, a holder for such gear, means mounting said holder for rotation about the axis of such gear, a pair of rotary brushes mounted on an arbor and spaced thereon to engage the sides of the teeth of such gear at substantiallydiametrically opposite points on the latter, whereby said brushes may be rotated together in the same direction to engage and brush the same portions of such gear in opposite directions, means operative to reciprocate said holder into and out of position with such gear thus engaging such brushes, and drive means operative to rotate said holder.

9. In combination, a device for presenting a work-piece in desired position to a rotary brush comprising a rotatable work-piece support, mounting means for said support adjustable to position the axis of said rotatable support at selected angles relative to such brush, means operative to reciprocate said support toward and away from such brush, drive means operative to rotate said support when the latter is advanced toward such brush but inoperative when said support is reciprocated away from such brush; and an arbor mounting a brush arranged to engage such work-piece when the latter has been thus advanced theretoward, drive means for said arbor, control means operative to reverse the direction of drive of said drive means for said arbor while said support is retracted with such workpiece out of engagement with such brush, and means adapted to be actuated by reciprocation of said work-piece support operative to actuate said control means.

10. In combination, a device for presenting a work-piece in desired positcn to a rotary brush or the like, a rotatable work-piece holder mounted for reciprocation toward and away from such brush, drive means operative to rotate said holder when said holder is advanced toward such brush, means adapted to render said drive means inoperative to rotate the same when said holder is reciprocated away from such brush; and an arbor mounting a rotary brush arranged to engage such work-piece when the latter has been thus advanced theretoward, drive means for said arbor, control means operative to reverse the direction of drive of said drive means for said arbor, and means actuated by reciprocation of said holder operative to energize said control means to reverse said arbor during intervals when said workpiece holder is reciprooated away from such brush.

11. In combination, a reciprocating work-piece holder, brushing mechanism including a rotary brush and drive means adapted to. drive the same, said mechanism being arranged for engagement of such brush and work-piece when said holder is reciprocated in one direction and disengagement thereof when said holder is reciprocated in the other direction, control means operative to reverse the direction of drive of such brush drive means, and means mounted for actuation by reciprocation of said holder operative to actuate said control means at intervals while said workpiece holder is reciprocated away from such brush.

12. In combination, brushing mechanism in cluding a rotary brush and drive means therefor, work-piece holding means operative intermittently to present a work-piece to such brush, control means for said drive means operative to reverse the direction of rotation of such brush, and means operative in timed relation to movement of said work-piece holding means toward and away from such brush to actuate said control means thus to reverse the direction of rotation of such brush when such brush is out of engagement with a work-piece.

13. In combination, a device for presenting a work-piece in desired position to a, rotary brush or the like, comprising a rotatable work-piece holder mounted for reciprocation toward and away from such brush, drive means operative to rotate said holder when said holder is advanced toward such brush but inoperative to rotate the same when said holder is reciprocated away from such brush; and an arbor mounting a rotary brush arranged to engage such work-piece when the latter has been thus advanced theretoward, drive means for said arbor including a reversible electric motor, and means automatically operative to reverse the direction of drive of said drive means for said arbor during intervals when said workpiece holder is reciprocated away from such brush, said drive reversing means comprising a ratchet, means on said work-piece holder adapted to engage and operate said ratchet when said holder is reciprocated, a magnetic reversing starter for said motor, brake means for said motor operative to brake said motor only when the motor circuit is broken, a switch operative alternatively to actuate said starter to energize said motor to drive in one direction and the opposite direction, and cam means on said ratchet operative to operate said switch to reverse said motor when said holder is reciprocated to withdraw such work-piece from such brush.

14. In a device for presenting a work-piece in desired position to a rotary brush having radially extending bristle material, a rotatable workpiece holder mounted for reciprocation toward and away from such brush, drive means operative to rotate said holder when said holder is advanced toward such brush, means adapted to render said drive means inoperative to rotate the same when said holder is reciprocated away from such brush, and resilient back-up means for said holder adapted yieldingly to absorb the shock of impact of such work-piece with such brush when such work-piece is thus initially brought into engagement with such brush by reciprocation of said holder.

15. In a device for presenting a work-piece in desired position to a rotary brush having radially extending bristle material, a rotatable work-piece support, mounting means for said support adjustable to position the axis of said rotatable support at selected angles relative to such brush, means operative to reciprocate said support toward and away from such brush, resilient backup means for said support adapted yieldingly to absorb the shock of impact of such work-piece with such brush when such work-piece is thus initially brought into engagement with such brush by reciprocation of said support, drive means operative to rotate said support when the latter is advanced toward such brush, means adapted to render said drive means inoperative when said support is reciprocated away from such brush.

16. In combination, a device for presenting a work-piece in desired position to a rotary brush or the like, comprising a rotatable work-piece holder mounted for reciprocation toward and away from such brush, drive means operative to rotate said holder when said holder is advanced toward such brush but inoperative to rotate the same when said holder is reciprocated away from such brush; and an arbor mounting a rotary brush arranged to engage such work-piece when the latter has been thus advanced theretoward, drive means for said arbor including a reversible electric motor, and means automatically operative to reverse the direction of drive of said drive means for said arbor during intervals when said -work-;piece holder is reciprocated'away'from such :brush, said drive reversing means comprising an alternate contact device-means on said workis broken, a switch operative alternatively to ..actuate:said starter to energize said motor to .-dr-ive in one direction and the opposite direc- -vtion,iand-.-means on said alternate contact device operative to operate'said switch to reverse said .motor-at a time when said holder is reciprocated to withdraw such work-piece from such :brush.

References Cited in the flle of this patent Number Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name "Date Faulkner Apr; 8,-1924 Bower June 13, 1939 Johnson et a1 Aug. 1, I939 Andersen Mar. 26,1940 Drummond Apr. 13, I943 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland Oct. 2-1, 1 899 

